Chapter 2
1277 Words
Celine's POV:
The following day, I dressed in my sister's room so the guests would believe I was Clara. I had never imagined this day would come. I was helping my famous sister by covering for her wedding.
I wore a long white wedding dress that swept the ground as I walked. The makeup artist applied heavy makeup to my face, and, although I hate to admit it, I don’t like makeup.
I sat there and allowed them to transform me into my sister’s preferred choice of wedding dress, which exposed my bare back and left my chest fully visible.
This is not the wedding day I had dreamed of. I was taking my twin sister's place as the bride… even though she is actually alive and modeling in another state.
"Mmm," I sighed once the makeup artist was done. I looked at my reflection in the mirror and could not believe the stunning woman staring back at me.
Soon, my father arrived, dressed in a black tailored suit, and asked me, "Are you ready, Clara? You look so beautiful."
I saw the proud smile on my father's face. He saw me as Clara, his most treasured daughter, not as Celine, the one who wanted to marry a pauper.
I shut my blue eyes and mimic my twin sister's composure—the way she smiled with a wide grin on her face.
"Yes, Dad," I said, forcing a wider smile as I wondered how long I could keep up this act.
"Let's go," my father said as he escorted me downstairs. I saw the black Bentley waiting to take me to the wedding.
I had never sat in a Bentley before, so I was nervous. Unlike my sister, who travels frequently from one location to another and goes on vacations with her wealthy boyfriend sponsoring all her trips, I was inexperienced in such luxuries.
We sat in eerie silence as the driver started the car and drove us to the wedding venue.
I was nervous as the car ride continued until we arrived at the large church where the wedding was held.
I took a deep breath as I got out of the car. The bridemaids lined up and welcomed me by scattering flowers on my feet as I stepped down.
This was an elite wedding, and my father tenderly held my left hand as he escorted me into the church, which was filled with top-notch guests.
My heartbeat grew louder in my chest with each step I took into the church, nearing the altar where Clara's fiancé, Jace Augustus, stood.
Jace was a tall, refined, black man. Clara was very fortunate to have him.
Jace was a 35-year-old bachelor—single and attractive. He was not a man to be trifled with.
Seeing him standing close to me as my father and I finally arrived at the altar, Dad handed me over to Jace for the priest to join us in holy matrimony.
I was nervous; I felt like I was going to faint at any moment. As Jace smiled, he lifted off my veil to reveal my face to him.
I gulped hard and reminded myself that I am not Clara; I must act like her.
How would Clara have reacted on her own wedding day? Excited? Emotional? Or casual? I didn't know, but I smiled widely so that Jace wouldn't think otherwise as his black eyes met my blue eyes for a brief moment.
I grinned wider to show Jace that I was indeed his woman. I had heard from Clara that Jace had never cheated on her, despite his influence and the many women who desired him.
Jace was very handsome, resembling a Greek god as he stood towering above me.
Clara and I were of average height, thanks to the high heels she had chosen for me to wear, as they complemented her preferred wedding dress and shoes.
"Can we start the union?" The priest's voice brought us back to reality. Jace stepped aside as the priest recited the prayers and united us as one.
"Do you, Clara Mason, take Jace Augustus to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?"
I looked at my twin sister's fiancé's face—the man who was about to become my husband. If only he knew that I was not Clara, his woman.
Jace smiled, hoping I would say "I do," as he noticed my hesitation to speak those words.
The priest continued, "Do you promise to love and obey him and to be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," I replied, shutting my blue eyes as I was unable to meet Jace's gaze. The officiant then asked Jace the same question: "Do you, Jace Augustus, take Clara Mason to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?"
"I do," Jace replied as the priest asked him once more, "Do you promise to love and cherish her, and to be faithful to her, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," Jace smiled, looking at me as if I were his real bride, genuinely happy to be wedded to me—though he thought I was my twin sister.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride," the priest concluded just as Jace and I recited our vows and exchanged wedding rings.
I felt hesitant to wear his ring, which symbolizes love, trust, and commitment. I couldn't believe I was doing this as if I were acting in a movie, playing the role of a replacement for my twin sister.
Jace wore the diamond ring on my left finger. I shut my eyes as he pulled me closer and sealed his lips on mine, not wanting to consider whether I desired to kiss him or not.
His lips claimed mine, kissing me tenderly at first, as the hall erupted in a round of applause for us. The well-wishers were screaming, "Happy married life to you!"
Jace pulled away from the kiss after kissing me fervently for a while. He gazed into my eyes as if he already suspected that I wasn't his bride.
We took pictures with his parents, who were very happy about the wedding, as well as with my parents. I stood there anxiously, taking several photos with the priest, my parents, Jace's parents, the bridesmaids, and the best man.
Lily, my twin sister's best friend, was the bridesmaid, and I wondered if she knew that I was taking Clara's place. However, I was sure that Clara had never told anyone about her plans. As Lily hugged me excitedly and squealed, "Congratulations, Clara! I am so happy for you!"
"Thank you." We took more wedding pictures in the church until Jace held my hand tightly and kissed my lips once more.
"Come on, my love. You don't have to act shy as if this is the first time we're kissing. Let's go to our wedding reception." Jace lifted me off the ground, and I was stunned as he carried me away in that firm, masculine arms.
I want to say that I am not Clara. This has to stop. Should I tell him the truth or continue pretending to be my sister?
I shut my eyes, inhaling Jace's cologne, which had a relaxing aroma.
- Writer
